Music highlights annual Irish Fest

One of the hottest Celtic rock bands in Ohio makes its way west this weekend to open the ninth annual Irish Fest in Arlington Heights.

Brigid's Cross plays everything from traditional Irish folk tunes and pub songs - with their musicians playing fiddle, bodhran and guitar - as well as more contemporary pieces with a rock influence.

Irish Fest runs 6 to 11 p.m. Friday and 4 to 11 p.m. Saturday on the grounds of the Arlington Heights Historical Museum, 110 W. Fremont St.

There will be continuous live Irish music, step dancers and pipe bands, with authentic food and drink, vendors and cultural displays.

Brigid's Cross is booked every weekend this month at Irish festivals in Ohio and Connecticut, with the Arlington Heights Park District's Irish Fest as their only Chicago appearance this summer.

They take the stage at 8:30 p.m. Friday after a warm-up that includes the Irish-born singer Gavin Coyle at a 6 p.m. concert, followed by the McNulty School of Irish Dance at 7:30 p.m. and the Glengael Pipe Band at 8 p.m.

"We're thrilled to feature them," says Cathy Robertson, Irish Fest coordinator, of Brigid's Cross. "They're totally fun and something different."

For the past two years, Robertson has booked Elevation, the U-2 tribute band, to open the festival, but this year they will close the event instead, performing at 8 p.m. Saturday.

"They have packed the fest for the last two years," Robertson adds. "And they really bring in a younger crowd."

For the even-younger crowd, the so-called "wee ones," they will be handed Irish passports when they arrive. The better to visit all of the festival's destinations spread across the museum grounds.

Children and their families will naturally head to the "Wee Folk" tent for arts and crafts with an Irish spin, but the passport will lead them to displays by the Irish American Heritage Center and the Northern Illinois Chapter of the Crochet Guild of America inside the museum buildings.

Entertainment builds all day Saturday with Paddy Homan, a native of County Cork, singing traditional and contemporary Irish songs at 4 p.m. The Emerald Society Pipes and Drums, made up of Chicago area police, performing at 5 p.m.

At 5:45 p.m., the Larkin and Moran Brothers take the stage with their mix of Irish folk songs and pub tunes. They last performed in Arlington Heights in 2001 and return this year, one week after playing the Chicago Irish Fest, where they are a mainstay.

Right before Elevation takes the stage, fest organizers will pull winners of the Irish Raffle, when patrons have the chance to win a top prize of a six-night bed-and-breakfast stay in Ireland, as well as sports tickets, an Irish lace shawl and bicycles.

All proceeds, as well the profits from the sale of ice cream treats and bags of popcorn sold during the event, will benefit the museum's Historical Society.

For more complete meals, Peggy Kinnane's Irish Restaurant & Pub, located in downtown Arlington Heights, will return with its menu of corned beef and pulled pork sandwiches, as well as new tuna and chicken wraps and hot dogs for children.

Of course, Guinness and other Irish brews also will be available.

Hosted by the Arlington Heights Historical Museum, Irish Fest runs Friday and Saturday on the museum grounds at Euclid and Vail avenues, Arlington Heights. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Friday and 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

If you go

What: Ninth annual Irish Fest

When: 6 to 11 p.m. Friday and 4 to 11 p.m. Saturday

Where: On the grounds of Arlington Heights Historical Museum, 110 W. Fremont St.

Cost: $7, with children younger than 15 free Friday; $8, with seniors and historical society members $7 and ages 3 to 14 $3 Saturday

Details: www.ahpd.org

FRIDAY

6 p.m. Galvin Coyle

6-8 p.m. Airbrush in Wee Folk Tent

7:30 p.m. McNulty School of Irish Dance

8 p.m. The Glengael, bagpipe band

8:30 p.m. Brigid's Cross

11 p.m. Fest closes

SATURDAY

4-7 p.m. Irish American Heritage Center, Dunton Room

4-7 p.m. Northern Illinois Chapter of Crochet Guild of America

4-7 p.m. Wee Folk Tent open

4 p.m. Paddy Homan

4-8 p.m. Airbrush body art

4:30-7:30 p.m. Balloon Creations, Jane Harris

5 p.m. Pipes and Drums of the Emerald Society

5:30 p.m. Ceili Workshop by McNulty School of Irish Dance

5:45 p.m. The Larkin and Moran Brothers

6 p.m. "Finding Your Chicago Irish" by Sharon Bossard

7 p.m. Best Legs in Kilt contest

7:30 p.m. Trinity Irish Dancers

8 p.m. Irish Raffle drawing

8:30 p.m. Elevation

11 p.m. Fest closes

"This is our ninth year at this," Robertson adds, "and we've tried to fill it with lots more music, dance, food and fun for everyone."